A Breath of Open Air

Having stayed inside for so long, I carefully stepped past the open sliding door onto the tiled balcony. The outdoor air was crisp, carrying distant street sounds and a steady breeze. On a metal plant tier, an empty, overturned plastic saucer was rattling restlessly against a ceramic pot. I lowered my stance, stepping onto the sunlit tile to steady myself. Approaching with gentle deliberation, I extended both hands and guided the saucer until it rested squarely beneath the flowerpot. It caught the pot's weight with a quiet settle, finally still against the wind.